Can’t Win Me Back by Ginger Sue

Right after the Rolls Royce departed, Alyssa's expression hardened as she punched Jasper in the chest.

"Lyse, be gentle. I don't want you to hurt yourself," Jasper cautioned her, his voice trembling from her strength.

Sean, who was in the driver's seat, stole a glance at them from the rearview mirror and stifled a laugh.

"Jasper, I have a question for you." She poked his chest and asked angrily, "Did you know about the arranged marriage between Lauren and the Hodgson son?"

His eyes wavered. Grasping her hand, he wondered, "Lyse, how did you hear about it?"

"How could you ask that question? I think half of the city has heard about it by now!" Alyssa then proceeded to relay Silas' update to Jasper.

"Damn it!" Enraged, he punched the car window. "By publicly announcing the news, the Hodgson family is pressuring Javier into finalizing the marriage."

"They're being delusional. What era are we in now? They can't possibly force Lauren to marry Freddy!" Clenching her jaw, she said, "If Lauren refuses to marry, not even the president can make her!"

"But Lauren agreed to the marriage."

"What? But why?" Alyssa and Sean gasped in unison.

"Lauren said that being with Landon was too burdensome."

"That's a

trouble for Landon and Angie if she kept dating him. She refused to be a burden to

leave Landon. Why does she have to marry Freddy?" Looking skeptical, Alyssa surmised, "Has Mr. Javier pressured her? What

Jasper rasped, "I got into a fight with Javier in front of Lauren over the

car window. Fortunately, the solid build of the Rolls Royce was able to withstand

up, Alyssa struggled to breathe from the heartache. She lamented, "Oh, Lauren. That was to

that Mr. Javier would hold a grudge against you and

any way other than to risk her happiness. That was

girl." Jasper, tormented by pain, shook his

a bitch! I'd rather Lauren marry Cyrus than that good-for-nothing Freddy Hodgson! I'd rather keep a nice young lady like Lauren

his lips. He wondered, "Lyse, do you think Landon stands a chance to

is always the hardest to grasp and make sense of." Resting in Jasper's arms, Alyssa sighed softly. "Lauren and Landon might encounter more obstacles than us. Let's settle the immediate issue before

inboxes of all company employees. The notice stated that Preston

he had become an unemployed bum who had nothing to do with the Harper Group except when it came to receiving his annual company

Preston gathered his friends at night to have fun and release his frustration at The Millennium, a famous luxurious

that tasted like wet cardboard. He accused Cornelius of being a wolf in sheep's clothing who'd sell out anyone to protect his interest. His

matter of time

at The Millennium. Rumors had it that she was fucking gorgeous. Get her here to drink with me!" Preston, completely smashed, ordered